Jamie Dornan is a famous Northern Irish actor and model. At a time when actors struggle to make it to the small and big screen, Dornan not just got his breakthrough in both the mediums but also made a strong foothold. What gives him the edge over other actors of his generation is the ease with which he transforms himself into his characters. Dornan started off his film career playing Count Axel von Fersen in Sofia Coppola's film ‘Marie Antoinette’ in 2006. The most successful film of his career so far has been ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, released in 2015. The film was a runway success at the box office and its success led to its sequels, one of which was released in 2017 and the other is expected to release in 2018. While his film career was steadily pacing, he gave some stunning performance in television as well. The first was as Sheriff Graham Humbert in the ABC series ‘Once Upon a Time’. His brilliant performance as a serial killer Paul Spector in the crime drama series ‘The Fall’ has been widely applauded. Given his talent and dedication, Dornan sure has a promising future ahead.

Jamie Dornan was born on May 1, 1982 in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland to Professor Jim Dornan and Lorna. His father is an obstetrician and gynaecologist. Jamie has two older sisters Liesa and Jessica.

Dornan spent much of his childhood years in the suburbs of Belfast. His mother died when he was 16 years of age. He attended Methodist College where he participated in drama department. Later, he enrolled at Teesside University but dropped out of the same to train as an actor. For this, he moved to London.

Jamie Dornan started off his career as a model. In 2003, he modelled for Abercrombie & Fitch. Offers came rolling in for him as he modelled for various fashion houses and retailers, including Aquascutum, Hugo Boss, and Armani. He also did ad campaigns for popular brands including Dior Homme and Calvin Klein. During this time, New York Times labelled him ‘The Golden Torso’.

His first ever acting role came for Sofia Coppola’s historical drama ‘Marie Antoinette’, in 2006. In it, he played the role of Count Axel von Fersen, love interest of Marie Antoinette.

In 2008, he was seen in the Hammer Horror production ‘Beyond the Rave’. Besides acting, Dornan was a part of the folk band ‘Sons of Jim’. He remained a crucial part of the band until it disbanded in 2008.

In 2009, Jamie Dornan appeared in the drama film ‘Shadows in the Sun’. The film Jean Simmons in lead role. Dornan played the character of Joe in the film.

In 2011, he played the role of Sheriff Graham in the ABC television series ‘Once Upon A Time’.He was much appreciated for his performance in the series. Though his character was killed in the episode ‘The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter’, he returned as the Huntsman from the Enchanted Forest for the season finale episode, ‘A Land Without Magic’.

Dornan was next seen in British-Irish crime drama series ‘The Fall’, portraying the character of Paul Spector, a serial killer terrorising Belfast. Later in May 2013, the show was renewed for a second season. People loved the way he brought realism and authenticity to his character. He did full justice to his role. Meanwhile while shooting for ‘The Fall’, he was cast for the role of Colin in the film Flying Home’.

In 2015, he appeared as Christian Grey in the film ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’. An erotic romantic drama based on the novel of the same name, the film was a big hit, breaking numerous box office records and earning over $571 million worldwide. The phenomenal success of the Fifty Shades franchise led to its second and third instalment, both of which Dornan signed up for.

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After ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, Dornan was flooded with offers. In 2016 alone, he had three films slated for release. To start off with, he was seen playing Jan Kubiš in ‘Anthropoid’. He followed it up with the character of Pat Quinlan in ‘The Siege of Jadotville’. Next he starred as Dr Allan Pascal in the supernatural thriller ‘The 9th Life of Louis Drax’.

Recently in 2017, Dornan was seen in the second instalment of the Fifty Shades franchise, ‘Fifty Shades Darker’. Much in contrast to its predecessor, ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ was hugely panned by the critics for its screenplay, acting and narrative.

Dornan’s upcoming projects include ‘Untogether’, third instalment of ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ and ‘Robinhood’. He is also shooting alongside Peter Dinklage in the HBO television film ‘My Dinner with Hervé’.

While Jamie Dornan has done a lot of films and television, his most spectacular performance came in as Paul Spector the serial killer in ‘The Fall’. A British-Irish crime drama, the series was a major hit with the first two seasons receiving rave reviews. The third season faired averagely but nevertheless was counted amongst the successful series running in television.

Jamie Dornan received the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards’ Breakthrough Award in 2014 for his role in the television series ‘The Fall’. Same year, he won the Irish Film and Television Awards for Best Lead Actor Television for ‘Rising Star’.

In November 2014, People Magazine's listed Jamie Dornan as #3 in Sexiest Man Alive rankings.